Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers -- Playoff Game Live Thread
The Cleveland Browns (#6) will play the Pittsburgh Steelers (#3) for the third time and final time this season. The two AFC North division rivals matchup at Heinz Field for the conclusion Super Wildcard Weekend. This will be the Browns first playoff game since 2002 after finishing the season 11-5 and clinching their playoff in the regular season finale. The Browns outlasted the Steelers at home last week and beat a team missing starters Ben Roethlisberger, T.J. Watt, and Cameron Heyward.
This AFC Wildcard matchup will include the complete Steelers lineup, while the Browns face an uphill battle missing their head coach Kevin Stefanski. Due to numerous COVID-19 positive tests, special teams coach Mike Priefer will be the acting head coach for the game. Also, in Kevin Stefanski absence, offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt will be calling plays.
Contact tracing not only impacted the coaching staff with 4 positional coaches missing but the roster will be without major contributors as well. Starting cornerbacks Denzel Ward and Kevin Johnson will remain on the reserve/COVID list. They will be joined by starting LG Joel Bitonio and WR KhaDarel Hodge. Yet in better news other contributors were activated for the reserve/COVID list after missing week seventeen's matchup.
Stay tuned to this article throughout the game for live updates and commentary.
Inactives <-- Click Here
First Quarter
The Cleveland Browns win the toss and will defer to the second half.
1st & 10, The snap by Maurkice Pouncey goes over Roethlisberger head into the end zone and is recovered by Karl Joesph for a touchdown.
Browns 7 - Steelers 0
1st & 10, James Conner takes the handoff inside for a three yard run.
2nd & 7, Ben Roethlisberger drops back to pass connecting with Eric Ebron in the flat for 4 yard catch.
3rd & 3, Roethlisberger pressured in the pocket finding Conner underneath for a 5 yard first down.
1st & 10, James Conner takes the inside handoff for a 9 yard run.
2nd & 1, Conner gets back-to-back carries and runs into a wall of defenders for no gain.
3rd & 1, Steelers in Power-I runs a FB dive to Derek Watt for a 3 yard gain.
1st & 10, Roethlisberger back to pass throws a RB screen too high while under pressure and the pass is picked by M.J. Stewart.
This is back-to-back weeks Stewart has a pick in the secondary and gives the Browns offense great field position in their first drive of the game. The offense needs to take advantage by putting points on the board. Getting a two score lead will help Alex Van Pelt allow the run game get going early and often.
2nd & 10, Mayfield in an empty set throws quickly to Austin Hooper in the middle for a 6 yard gain.
3rd & 4, Mayfield back to pass with the Steelers showing pressure, throws a slant to Jarvis Landry and has a 40 yard catch and run touchdown.
Browns 14 - Steelers 0
This game is a reflection of the mistakes by the Steelers offense. The key for defensive coordinator Joe Woods is to keep consistent pressure on Ben Roethlisberger and force the offense to run the ball.
1st & 10, James Conner takes the HB draw and runs for a 6 yard gain.
2nd & 4, Conner gets another carry and is met at the first for a 3 yard run.
3rd & 1, FB Derek Watt gets the short handoff and is tackled in the backfield by Ronnie Harrison.
Browns defense forces quick three and out.
4th & 1, Jordan Berry on to punt kicks to Donovan Peoples-Jones for a short return.
1st & 10, Nick Chubb takes the handoff and runs for a 17 yard pickup with great blocking upfront.
1st & 10, Nick Chubb gets back-to-back carries for a 21 yard run behind another big hole.
2nd & 9, Mayfield throws a quick screen to Jarvis Landry for a short 4 yard gain.
3rd & 5, Mayfield back to pass finds Rashard Higgins along the near sideline for a first down.
1st & 10, Kareem Hunt takes the carry breaking tackles and fights into the end zone for 11 yard run.
Browns 21 - Steelers 0
The run game is having tremendous success as the Browns offensive line is winning upfront. Nick Chubb is reaching the second level untouched in both gap and zone run schemes.
1st & 10, Ben Roethlisberger back to pass finds Diontae Johnson underneath for a 13 yard gain.
1st & 10, Roethlisberger throws a low pass caught by Chase Claypool. Matt Feiler flagged for holding.
1st & 20, Roethlisberger in the shotgun with pressure in the middle overthrows JuJu Smith-Schuster incomplete.
2nd & 20, Roethlisberger back to pass throws another pass high and it is tipped and intercepted by Sheldrick Redwine returned to the 15 yard line.
2nd & 10, Mayfield in an empty backfield finds Nick Chubb on the near sideline for a 7 yard gain.
3rd & 3, Kareem Hunt takes the carry bouncing it outside behind a pulling J.C. Tretter for a 8 yard touchdown run.
Browns 28 - Steelers 0
The Browns are having a similar first half performance to Titans regular season game. The focus will be to score points and play consistent defense in the second half.
1st & 10, Roethlisberger back to pass throws a screen pass to Diontae Johnson for a first down catch and run.
2nd & 10, Roethlisberger throws quickly in the flat to Eric Ebron and the pass is dropped.
3rd & 10, Roethlisberger scrambles right out of the pocket checking down to Ebron for a 13 yard catch and run beating Malcolm Smith on the edge.
1st & 10, James Conner takes the pitch outside met in the backfield cutting back for a one yard gain.
Second Quarter
The turnover and mistake filled first quarter is over for the Steelers. Mike Tomlin will try to settle his team down. It will be vital for the Browns defense to limit big plays and keep momentum in their favor.
2nd & 14, Following a false start, Roethlisberger finds JuJu Smith-Schuster in the near flat for a 9 yard gain.
3rd & 5, Roethlisberger finds Ebron over the middle for a 6 yard gain.
2nd & 10, Roethlisberger throws a hitch to James Washington for a 14 yard catch and run.
1st & 10, Roethlisberger back to pass finds Chase Claypool for a short 2 yard gain tackled by Terrance Mitchell.
3rd & 8, Roethlisberger faces a five man pressure steps up in the pocket and throws the ball short of the intended receiver.
4th & 8, Jordan Berry on to punt kicks the ball out of bounds at the Browns 10 yard line.
1st & 10, Nick Chubb takes the inside handoff and is tackled for no gain by T.J. Watt.
2nd & 10, Mayfield back to pass throws a bullet to Rashard Higgins and the ball is dropped.
3rd & 10, Mayfield back to pass lofts a pass to Higgins down the near sideline and the tight coverage causes an incompletion.
4th & 10, Jamie Gillan on to punt and the kick is fair caught on the Steelers 46.
1st & 10, Roethlisberger throws a quick out to Diontae Johnson for a 5 yard gain.
2nd & 5, James Conner takes the handoff and is tackled after a 3 yard gain.
3rd & 2, Roethlisberger back to pass and the ball batted at the line of scrimmage by Vincent Taylor and intercepted by a diving Porter Gustin.
1st & 10, Nick Chubb takes the carry showing patience behind blockers for a 12 yard run.
1st & 10, Chubb gets the carry and is tackled for a loss by T.J. Watt in the backfield.
2nd & 11, Mayfield back to pass scrambles eluding pressure completes a pass to Hooper but Kendall Lamm is flagged for holding.
2nd & 21, Mayfield back to pass throws bullet to Austin Hooper and the pass is dropped over the middle.
3rd & 21, Kareem Hunt takes the handoff running for a 13 yard gain.
4th & 8, Jamie Gillan on to punt and it is fair caught at the 10 yard line.
1st & 10, Roethlisberger checks down to Benny Snell for a short gain tackled by B.J. Goodson.
2nd & 6, Roethlisberger throws underneath to JuJu Smith-Schuster for a 5 yard gain.
3rd & 1, Benny Snell runs for a one yard Gian just enough for the first down.
1st & 10, Roethlisberger back to pass finds Dionate Johnson on the far sideline for a 17 yard catch.
1st & 10, Roethlisberger back to pass finds James Washington on the far sideline in the soft area of the zone.
1st & 10, Roethlisberger checks down to James Conner for a 7 yard pickup.
2nd & 3, Roethlisberger finds Diontae Johnson underneath for a 6 yard reception.
1st & 10, Roethlisberger throws quickly underneath to James Washington for a 4 yard gain.
2nd & 6, Roethlisberger back to pass finds Eric Ebron over the middle for a 5 yard gain and is stopped short of the first down marker.
3rd & 1, Roethlisberger lobs a fade to JuJu Smith-Schuster and it is incomplete. Two minute warning.
4th & 1, James Conner takes the handoff after a low snap and gains one yard.
1st & Goal, Conner gets the handoff bouncing it outside for a one yard rushing touchdown.
Browns 28 - Steelers 7
D'Ernest Johnson returns the kickoff down to the 37 yard line.
1st & 10, Nick Chubb takes the carry patiently behind blockers for a 4 yard gain.
2nd & 6, Mayfield back to pass throws a pass too high out of the reach of Rashard Higgins.
3rd & 6, Mayfield scrambles out of the pocket running to the far sideline for a first down gain reaching for the marker.
1st & 10, Mayfield checks down to Nick Chubb in the flat for one yard.
2nd & 9, Mayfield throws to Chubb open in the flat for a 15+ yard catch and run.
1st & 10, Mayfield throws to Hooper over the middle for a 8 yard gain.
2nd & 2, Kareem Hunt takes the carry running into the redzone.
1st & 10, Mayfield back to pass finds Austin Hooper in the middle for a 5 yard pickup.
2nd & 5, Mayfield back to pass throws to wide open Austin Hooper in the end zone for a 7 yard touchdown.
Browns 35 - Steelers 7
The score is eerily similar to the Browns -- Titans game in the regular season. The Browns only scored 6 points in the second half after taking their foot off the pedal. Alex Van Pelt has to stay aggressive in the second half to help the defense.
1st & 10, Roethlisberger back to pass throws to Benny Snell for an 11 yard pickup.
2nd & 10, Roethlisberger throws quickly to Diontae Johnson for a 11 yard reception.
1st & 10, Roethlisberger back to pass throws to Chase Claypool on the near sideline gaining 12 yards going out of bounds.
1st & 10, Chris Boswell 49 yard field goal is good.
Browns 35 - Steelers 10
Cleveland Browns set a record for most points in a half for a playoff road game.
Halftime
Third Quarter
1st & 10, Nick Chubb takes the carry and runs forward for a 6 yard gain.
2nd & 4, Mayfield back to pass quickly finds Austin Hooper for a 8 yard reception.
1st & 10, Chubb gets the carry and met at the line of scrimmage by multiple defenders.
2nd & 9, Mayfield in an empty backfield throws to Higgins for a 14 yard reception.
2nd & 10, Mayfield back to pass throws to Jarvis Landry underneath and the Browns flagged for illegal formation.
2nd & 15, Mayfield in an empty set escapes the initial pressure scrambling for 3 yards.
3rd & 13, Mayfield back to pass pressured quickly throws to the feet of Higgins incomplete.
4th & 13, Jamie Gillan on to punt for the third and returned by Ray Ray McCloud for a short gain.
Jack Conklin has not returned in the lineup since the hamstring injury. Kendall Lamm has held his own in his absence. The offense is focusing on getting the ball out of Baker Mayfield's hand quickly.
1st & 10, Roethlisberger throws quickly underneath to Chase Claypool for a 7 yard gain.
2nd & 3, Roethlisberger gets the ball to Ebron for a first down reception.
1st & 10, Roethlisberger back to pass finds JuJu Smith-Schuster at the first down marker and a new set of downs.
1st & 10, Roethlisberger throws quickly to Diontae Johnson for a 12 yard reception.
1st & 10, Roethlisberger checks down to James Conner for a 4 yard pickup.
2nd & 6, Roethlisberger throws a quick out to Eric Ebron for a first down catch and run.
1st & 10, Roethlisberger finds Diontae Johnson for a 14 yard reception.
1st & 10, Roethlisberger lobs a pass to Eric Ebron in the end zone for a 17 yard touchdown.
2pt attempt is no good thrown incomplete.
Browns 35 - Steelers 16
DC Joe Woods played too conservatively that defensive series. This was the same issue in the second half playing with a lead versus the Titans. Woods needs to stay aggressive and not allow the Steelers offense to get in a rhythm. Better to go out swinging than playing back hoping for the same first half mistakes.
2nd & 10, Nick Chubb takes the inside carry and is stopped short for 2 yard gain.
3rd & 8, Mayfield back to pass targeting Jarvis Landry is incomplete with tight coverage.
4th & 8, Jamie Gillan on to punt down to 33 yard line with short return by Ray Ray McCloud.
1st & 10, Roethlisberger in an empty backfield throws to Diontae Johnson for a short one yard reception.
2nd & 9, Roethlisberger back to pass targeting Smith-Schuster is almost picked by Terrance Mitchell but dropped.
3rd & 9, Roethlisberger facing blitz pressure finds Diontae Johnson for a first down reception.
1st & 10, James Conner takes the handoff up the middle for a 5 yard gain.
2nd & 5, Roethlisberger back to pass finds Smitch-Schuster on the far sideline for a first down catch and run.
2nd & 10, Roethlisberger back to pass lobs a pass to Chase Claypool on the near sideline incomplete.
3rd & 10, Roethlisberger throws to Smith-Schuster underneath at the first down and 13 yard gain.
2nd & Goal, Roethlisberger off placation throws quickly to Diontae Johnson incomplete with CB Robert Jackson in coverage.
3rd & Goal, Roethlisberger back to pass targeting Eric Ebron underneath over the head of Ebron incomplete.
4th & Goal, Roethlisberger hangs in the pocket finds Smith-Schuster crossing the field for a 4 yard touchdown.
Browns 35 - Steelers 23
The Steelers have all the momentum since the second half started. The defense is struggling to hold up in coverage. This is a must score drive for the offense to flip the momentum in the Browns favor. Running the ball with success and not over committing to the pass will be important to staying in control.
1st & 10, Nick Chubb takes the inside handoff and runs into a wall limited to two yards.
2nd & 8, Chubb gets the carry tackled for no gain.
3rd & 8, Baker Mayfield back to pass throws incomplete as Donovan Peoples-Jones slips on the route.
4th & 8, Jamie Gillan on to punt and kicks back into Steelers territory.
1st & 10, Roethlisberger throws quickly to Smith-Schuster in the flat for a 4 yard gain.
2nd & 6, Roethlisberger throws screen to Smith-Schuster who is tackled for a 2 yard loss by M.J. Stewart.
3rd & 8, Roethlisberger back to pass finds Smith-Schuster over the middle tackled short of the first down after 7 yard gain.
4th & 6, Jordan Berry on to punt and Steelers take delay of game. Berry punts goes into the end zone for a touchback.
Fourth Quarter
1st & 10, Mayfield back to pass finds Peoples-Jones for an 8 yard reception.
3rd & 2, Mayfield back to pass throws underneath to Jarvis Landry for a first down tiptoeing down the sideline for extra yardage.
1st & 10, Mayfield off playaction throws to Jarvis Landry for a 14 yard reception.
2nd & 10, Mayfield dumps off a RB screen to Nick Chubb for a 40-yard touchdown catch and run.
Browns 42 - Steelers 23
The screenplay call was a great design with the Steelers going upfield to prevent the bootleg off playaction. Throwing this drive to flip field position set the offense up well. Nick Chubb's run after the catch ability helped flip the momentum back to the Browns with the Steelers charging.
1st & 10, Roethlisberger throws underneath to Johnson for a 7 yard catch.
2nd & 3, Roethlisberger back to pass finds Diontae Johnson on a low catch for a first down. Browns challenge the call of a completed catch, will likely lose challenge.
1st & 10, Roethlisberger finds Smith-Schuster over the deep middle open in the zone for a big first down zone.
1st & 10, Roethlisberger back to pass throwing to Chase Claypool against Robert Jackson for a 29 yard touchdown.
2pt attempt is no good.
Browns 42 - Steelers 29
D'Ernest Johnson returns the kickoff to the 35 yard line for good starting field position.
1st & 10, Nick Chubb takes the carry bouncing outside for a nine yard rush.
2nd & 1, Chubb gets the handoff gaining enough for a new set of downs.
2nd & 10, Mayfield dumps the ball to Kareem Hunt out of the backfield for a 12 yard catch and run.
1st & 10, Kareem Hunt takes the inside carry and is tackled for a short one yard gain.
2nd & 9, Mayfield back to pass throws to Jarvis Landry over the middle for a catch and run first down.
2nd & 10, Mayfield throws quickly underneath to David Njoku for a 7 yard gain over the middle.
3rd & 3, Mayfield off playaction throws to Austin Hooper for a first down reception in the redzone.
1st & Goal, Kareem Hunt takes the carry and runs for a strong 4 yards.
2nd & Goal, Hunt gets the outside handoff and avoids defenders in the backfield running back to line of scrimmage.
3rd & Goal, Mayfield back to pass throws to Austin Hooper in the endzone and the pass is deflected by SS Terrell Edmunds.
4th & Goal, Cody Parkey 29 yard field goal is good.
Browns 45 - Steelers 29
1st & 10, Roethlisberger throws underneath to Smith-Schuster tackled quickly by Malcolm Smith for one yard.
2nd & 9, Roethlisberger checks down to James Conner for a 5 yard gain.
3rd & 4, Roethlisberger dumps it off to Conner for a 9 yard catch and run.
1st & 10, Roethlisberger back to pass and is picked off by Sione Takitaki targeting Eric Ebron. Browns defense intercepted Roethlisberger 4 times.
2nd & 10, Mayfield off playaction finds Austin Hooper in the near flat for a 4 yard reception.
3rd & 6, Nick Chubb takes the inside handoff and stopped for a short 2 yard gain.
4th & 4, Cody Parkey 37 yard field goal attempt is good.
Browns 48 - Steelers 29
1st & 10, Roethlisberger back to pass finds Diontae Johnson for a 15+ yard reception.
2nd & 10, Roethlisberger finds Smith-Schuster over the middle for a first down reception. Two minute warning.
2nd & 10, Roethlisberger back to pass targeting Diontae Johnson and the pass is dropped.
3rd & 10, Roethlisberger throws to Smith-Schuster over the deep middle and the pass is knocked out incomplete.
4th & 10, Roethlisberger back to pass steps up in the pocket catching a deep pass in the 10 yard line.
1st & Goal, Roethlisberger throws a quick flat pass to Chase Claypool for a touchdown.
2 point conversion is good as James Conner takes check down pass into end zone.
Browns 48 - Steelers 37
The onside kick is recovered by Stephen Carlson.
Cleveland Browns in victory formation and will run out the clock.
The Cleveland Browns (6) will face the Kansas City Chiefs (1) in the AFC Divisional round.
